Scott Bogman | Wed, Jun 17th 2026, 9:00am EDT

Fantasy Football IDP: Defensive Line Draft Strategy(2026)

The defensive line in IDP fantasy football compares well to RBs on the offensive side. There is rotation for most, but the best stay on the field a lot. There are two primaries for most teams at EDGE and maybe one at DT/IDL. I won’t go into this level of detail for LBs or DL because the starters tend to play all or most of the snaps. The DL can be frustrating because most are boom-or-bust plays that can leave us with nothing in some weeks. We will go team by team to look at who the starters and rotational players are that can have some fantasy value as well.

Fantasy Football IDP: Defensive Line Draft Strategy (2026)

*Overall IDP rank in parentheses

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys

Rashan Gary (53) – EDGE (might only qualify as an LB) – Sack-dependent and tends to get them in bunches; can be your best IDP or give you a donut.
Donovan Ezeiruaku (63) – EDGE – Nice tackle floor, but only two sacks as a rookie.
Malachi Lawrence (100) – EDGE – Sack-dependent rookie with upside if he gets snaps.

Quinnen Williams (38) – IDL – Very high tackle floor for a DT, tied career low in sacks in 2025, but had way more pressures after being traded to Dallas.
Kenny Clark – IDL – Space clogger with little fantasy value.

New York Giants

Brian Burns (4) – EDGE – Second in fantasy football points in 2025; 16.5 sacks were a career high. The loss of Dexter Lawrence will impact efficiency, but Burns’ floor is still very high.
Abdul Carter (21) – EDGE – Only 5 sacks in 2025 as a rookie, but had a higher PR Win% than Burns and 16 more hurries.
Arvell Reese (22) – EDGE/LB – Reese is projected to play more ILB than Edge, but will play both. LBs that qualify as DL are huge boosts.
Kayvon Thibodeaux (65) – EDGE – Thibs was a DL3 through Week 6, suffered a shoulder injury in Week 10, and didn’t play after. Trade rumors have calmed down, but a trade could still happen.

Shelby Harris & DJ Reader – IDL – Space-clogging NTs with little fantasy upside.

Philadelphia Eagles

Jonathan Greenard (46) – EDGE – DL18 until Week 9, suffered a shoulder injury and was limited. DL4 in 2024 and DL13 in 2023, but Philly Blitzes way less than Minnesota.
Jalyx Hunt (81) – EDGE – The addition of Greenard probably makes Hunt a rotation player with Smith and Ojomo. He had 14 more tackles than Ojomo on fewer snaps.
Nolan Smith Jr. – EDGE
Moro Ojomo – EDGE

Note: Smith has higher upside than Hunt or Ojomo, but missed five games with a triceps injury and might face a suspension for speeding. Ojomo has a nice floor for a rotational edge rusher, but Smith has a higher ceiling, and Hunt made way more impact plays (3 INTs, 2 FF, 1 FR for Hunt, none for Ojomo).

Jordan Davis (34) – IDL – 5th-highest-scoring IDL in 2025; finally played a full assortment of snaps. Incredibly high tackle floor and still ascending.
Jalen Carter (36) – IDL – missed 6 games with heel, shoulder, and hip issues, and was ejected from the opener after spitting on Dak Prescott. Higher potential than almost any IDL, but hasn’t peaked or come close yet.

Washington Commanders

K’Lavon Chaisson (54) – EDGE – After his best season in 2025, the Commanders scooped him up for pass rush help. I’m not buying the breakout because 38% of his points came in two massive games against Tennessee and Atlanta. Three games with 10+ but six with fewer than points.
Odafe Oweh (64) – EDGE – Was DL33 after being traded to LAC in Week 6 last year. DL36 in 2024. Washington will have a much deeper rotation, so volume will likely fluctuate for everyone on the line.
Dorance Armstrong (76) – EDGE – Hadn’t missed many games until 2025 and only played 7 games, but had 5.5 sacks, his highest pace by a lot.

Daron Payne (59) – IDL – Finished as DL 60 in 2025. Payne had 11.5 sacks in 2022, but has had 5 or fewer in his other 7 seasons. Payce might be rotated out more often, or he might benefit from deeper rotation and stay fresh. Decent dart throw in deeper leagues that require IDL.
Javon Kinlaw – IDL – Kinlaw had a rough season in 2025 and will likely be rotated out more between Settle, Davidson, Tuttle, and Newton. Payne is the only upside IDL for Washington.

NFC North

Chicago Bears

Montez Sweat (26) – EDGE – Montez Sweat has been in the Top-10 twice in the last 5 seasons but has also finished in the 20s, 50s, and 100+. Sweat’s best asset is that he provided a high floor with some surge performances. He had 11 games with 7.5+ points, only 4 under 5 points, and 6 with 10+ points.
Austin Booker (75) – EDGE – The Bears didn’t add anyone next to Sweat, but expect Booker to take a big step in his 3rd season. Booker started the last 8 games with Chicago in 2025 and has a chance to be a breakout in 26.
Dayo Odeyingbo – EDGE

Gervon Dexter (87) – IDL – Gervon Dexter is a surge performer. He had 4 games of 10+ but 10 with under 5. The Bears did add more rotational depth to the interior. Maybe Dexter will have fresh legs to get to the QB and increase his sack total.
Grady Jarrett – IDL

Note: Odeyingbo and Jarrett will be big pieces of the DL rotation, but Sweat, Booker, and Dexter are the only viable fantasy options until injury or performance issues arise.

Detroit Lions

Aidan Hutchinson (2) – EDGE – Hutch was the only DL with over 1000 snaps in 2025 during the regular season. He finished 5th in points, 2nd in FF, 3rd in sacks, and 3rd in hurries.
Derrick Moore – EDGE
DJ Wonnum – EDGE

Tyleik Williams – IDL
Alim McNeill – IDL

Note: It’s rough in Detroit beyond Hutch for fantasy contributors on the DL. The IDLs are space cloggers that stuff the run and free up the LBs and edge rushers for tackles and sacks. Wonnum has had a few 8-sack seasons but has had 50+ combined tackles only once. Rookie Derrick Moore will be a help on 3rd downs to rush the QB, but isn’t good enough to guarantee snaps to start his career.

Green Bay Packers

Micah Parsons (16) – EDGE – In a normal season, Parsons wouldn’t be seen outside the Top-5 among DL, but the torn ACL on December 29th is likely to keep him out for the first half of the season. Coupled with the fact that Parsons had a cleanup, and the Packers know rushing him back would be a mistake, I’m going to let someone else take the risk on Micah this season.
Lukas Van Ness – EDGE
Barryn Sorrell – EDGE

Devonte Wyatt (90) – IDL – Another very strong DL coming off a major injury. Wyatt really seemed to be hitting his peak before breaking his fibula and tearing ankle ligaments. I love the upside here, but with Parsons out for a large chunk of the season and Wyatt coming off an injury himself, he’s a deep shot in leagues that require an IDL.
Javon Hargrave – IDL

Note: Van Ness, Sorrel, Brenton Cox, and rookie Dani-Dennis Sutton will likely rotate a lot while Parsons is down, and the two who perform best will earn the most snaps. Hargrave is a savvy vet who could contribute, but hasn’t been the same since his triceps injury in 2023.

Minnesota Vikings

Andrew Van Ginkel (13) – EDGE – Van Ginkel has been a perfect fit for the Vikings’ blitz-heavy defense since arriving in 2024. AVG had 17 sacks in his first 72 games in Miami and has 18.5 in 29 games with Minnesota. He missed five early games with a neck injury but averaged 12.1 PPG, which was 7th among DL.
Dallas Turner (28) – EDGE – I’ll probably be low on Turner overall. Greenard’s trade really opens up a large number of snaps for Turner. Turner was 25th in DL points last season, but my larger concern is that he was very boom-or-bust. Turner had 11 games under 4 points and 6 games with 10+. All DLs are boom-or-bust for Turner, and it was even more so last season.
Bo Richter – EDGE

Jalen Redmond (55) – IDL – Redmond was the polar opposite of Turner; he had 2 fewer points but 10 games with 7.5+ points and only 4 games with under 5 points. I am skeptical about a repeat performance, especially after the Vikings spent two high picks on the IDL.
Caleb Banks – IDL
Domonique Orange – IDL

Note: The constant blitzing and lack of depth at EDGE should result in big seasons for Van Ginkel and Turner. Redmond had a huge season in 2025 and has way more talent in rookies Caleb Banks (if healthy to start the season) and Big Citrus next to him to clog space and free up LBs. The nature of the defense and the lack of depth can give us some big-time producers if things work out right.

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons

Jalon Walker (41) – EDGE – Walker was playing well before groin and quad injuries. Walker moved from a ‘tweener’ at Georgia to an edge rusher for the Falcons and offers a lot of upside, but has to develop and isn’t in the best spot for late leads in Atlanta that would offer him more chances for sacks.
James Pearce (69) – EDGE – The Falcons got the pass rusher they desperately needed by trading back into the 1st round in 2024. Pearce had 10.5 sacks and was a DL1 for the last 8 games of the season. Unfortunately, Pearce is likely to have a big suspension stemming from a DV incident in the offseason.
Samson Ebukam – EDGE
Azeez Ojulari – EDGE

Zach Harrison (67) – IDL – Harrison was placed on the IL after a knee injury hampered him in Week 7. Harrison tried to play through it, but was ultimately shut down in Week 11. This is projection,, but Harrison averaged 9.1 PPG in 2025; he had 4.5 sacks in 7 games, and will be be on the field a lot in a 3-4.
Brandon Dorlus (91) – IDL – Dorlus was strong, with 8.5 sacks in 2025, but had only 15 solo tackles and 12 assists. Dorlus is sack-dependent unless the tackle numbers start to rise.
Maason Smith – IDL

Note: Ebukam and Ojulari are likely to see a decent amount of snaps while Pearce is suspended, and the Falcons traded for Smith. Smith has been a space clogger, and Ebukam and Ojulari might hold value in 2026, but one of them will have to earn time over the other.

Carolina Panthers

Jaelan Phillips (38) – EDGE – Phillips is a great fit in Carolina alongside Derrick Brown. Phillips offers a high base by getting tackles at his position and, as long as he stays healthy, strong sack numbers and a Top 10 Win%.
Nic Scourton (61) – EDGE – Scourton has more upside than my ranking suggests. He had 5 sacks and 47 combined tackles as a 21-year-old rookie. The addition of Phillips might make the other side more rotational and eat into his snaps if he doesn’t take a step up.
Patrick Jones II – EDGE
Princely Umanmielen – EDGE

Derrick Brown (51) – IDL – DBro is one of the best tackling DLs in the league when healthy. He finished DL24 last year and DL15 in 2023.
Tershawn Wharton – IDL
Lee Hunter – IDL

Note: I think Scourton will get the playing time opposite Phillips, but either Jones or Umanmielen offers nice upside if they take that spot. Wharton is out indefinitely with a neck injury, and rookie Lee Hunter or veteran LaBryan Ray should see a lot of snaps early.

New Orleans Saints

Chase Young (30) – EDGE – Young is the oldest 27-year-old in the league, entering his 7th season. Chase was 7th in PPG and 17th overall even after missing the first 5 games of the season with a calf injury.
Carl Granderson (32) – EDGE – Granderson maintains a decent floor by providing tackles. Granderson has had 78, 61, and 52 tackles to pair with 8.5-5.5 over the last 3 seasons.
Tyree Wilson (80) – EDGE – The idea of a Top-10 pick moving to a new spot is tantalizing. Wilson will be able to move around the formation a bit more and might find a better fit.

Nathan Shepherd – IDL
Davon Godchaux – IDL
Bryan Bresee – EDGE/IDL

Note: The Saints DL is nice and deep, which helps their defense but can hurt us in IDP. Cameron Jordan’s signing would push Wilson off my Top-100 DL list, and that seems likely. The interior linemen Shepherd and Godchaux get tackles with no sacks, and Bresee and Jennings get sacks without tackles. Young and Granderson are all we really want here.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Rueben Bain Jr. (23) – EDGE – Bain led the nation with 897 snaps at Edge for the Hurricanes. That was 70 more than fellow rookie Akheem Mesidor at 827 for 2nd place, and Diaby led the Bucs in 2025 with 100 fewer snaps at 783. Bain is going to be the best pass rusher in Tampa Bay from his first day and should see all the snaps he can handle. I love his upside with the Bucs.
Yaya Diaby (35) – EDGE – Diaby was a nice DL3 option last season, finishing 25th among defensive linemen in total points. Diaby has been a boom/bust Edge and has a chance to grow across from Bain if he keeps his snap count high.
Al-Quadin Muhammad (77) – EDGE – Muhammad had a great season in 2025 with a career-high 11 sacks playing opposite Hutchinson. His snap count will depend on how quickly Bain comes along as a rookie and how Diaby performs.

A’Shawn Robinson (89) – IDL – Robinson was a high-tackle IDL over the last two seasons with the Panthers. Two years ago, he finished 20th among DL, but losing 15 tackles and 3 sacks in 2025 sank him to 60th. The floor is nice, but I would rather take a swing at someone with upside.
Vita Vea – IDL

Note: There is potential in many of the DL pieces here. My favorite is Bain, but Calijah Kancey has been strong but injury-prone. Elijah Robets saw a lot of snaps as a rookie, and Anthony Nelson will always have a few surge weeks. Vita Vea isn’t a factor for IDP, but we need him to anchor the line and keep blockers off everyone.

NFC West

Arizona Cardinals

Josh Sweat (17) – EDGE – Sweat is a frustrating boom-or-bust EDGE who doesn’t have a nice floor for tackles. He had 8 games under 5 points, with 6 under 2 points; 6 games over 10 points, with 5 at 15+. He has requested a trade from the Cardinals, and we are waiting ‘in limbo,’ but the team has said he will not be traded.
Zaven Collins (95) – EDGE – Collins has missed out so far in his NFL career as a tweener, starting his career as an ILB and moving to EDGE for the last 3 seasons. Collins will have to start getting to the QB more, as he has only 10 sacks over three seasons as an Edge. With Sweat on the other side, little competition for snaps, and an improved IDL, maybe this is it.
Baron Browning – EDGE
BJ Ojulari – EDGE

Walter Nolen (43) – IDL – Nolen is all projection, as he played only 6 games last season and produced just 11 tackles and 2 sacks. Nolen had close to 600 snaps, closer to what he’ll have this season if healthy, and finished with 44 tackles and 6 sacks.
Darius Robinson – IDL
Roy Lopez – IDL

Note: It looks like Sweat will have to stay with the Cardinals, but that should lead to a more productive DL overall with upside from Nolen and Collins. The QB issues could create some value plays, and if Sweat is traded, Browning or Ojulari will be in line for a big jump in snaps.

Los Angeles Rams

Myles Garrett (1) – EDGE – Garrett just set the single-season record for sacks on a team that was miserable on both sides. Garrett is the easy No. 1 on the Rams, and if they really get Aaron Donald to come out of retirement, this could be another historic season for Garrett.
Byron Young (10) – EDGE – No one will benefit more from Garrett and Donald than Young. Burns had the 6th-most snaps and 82 tackles with 12 sacks because Verse was double-teamed and they ran toward his size.
Josaiah Stewart (96) – EDGE – I’m just throwing him into the Top-100 in case Young gets hurt or gets rotated more. This edge spot should get the most single coverage this season.

Aaron Donald (?) – Even though Donald would be rotated heavily, especially to start, I will still have him in the Top-15 if he decides to come back.
Kobie Turner (58) – IDL – Turner finished as high-end DL3 (28th) in 2025 and again will benefit greatly from Garrett and, if Donald makes a comeback. Turner hasn’t missed a game yet in three seasons
Poona Ford – IDL

Note: I already had Garrett as my No. 1 IDP before the trade, and I love this landing spot, like everyone else. I do feel that Donald is a bigger question, but even if he doesn’t come back, this line will have three great producers in Garrett, Young, and Turner.

San Francisco 49ers

Nick Bosa (8) – EDGE – Bosa is still only 28 but is coming off a 3-game season in which he tore his ACL. The knee tear occurred in Week 3 and shouldn’t be a factor for Week 1, but he and his brother have a long history of injuries. The ceiling is still high enough for me to make him a DL1, but I understand if anyone decides he isn’t their issue.
Mykel Williams – EDGE
Sam Okuayinonu – EDGE
Keion White – EDGE

Osa Odighizuwa – IDL
Alfred Collins – IDL

Note: Bosa keeps this line afloat, but they didn’t do enough behind him to give anyone else value. Mykel Williams and Alfred Collins might take a step in their 2nd season with more snaps, but they will be available on every wire.

Seattle Seahawks

DeMarcus Lawrence (19) – EDGE – Lawrence finished at DL14 last season, but like a lot of others, he had 7 games with under 5 points, then surged with 3 games over 15. Lawrence is a nice swing play to pair with a high-floor option.
Leonard Williams (31) – EDGE – Williams has been better at tackling, ballooning to 71 in 2021 and over 60 for three straight seasons. The sacks have gone from 2.5 to 11 over the last 4 seasons, so they can’t really be depended on.
Uchenna Nwosu (49) – EDGE – Nwosu had issues staying on the field in 23 and 24 but played 16 games last year and had 7 sacks. Nwosu will be worth way more should Williams or Lawrence go down ahead of him, but the Sacks offer a nice floor for a player with limited snaps.

Byron Murphy (56) – IDL – Murphy might be turning into a stud IDL and was the 6th-highest-scoring interior DL last season. Sixty-two tackles, with most being assists, looks strange, but 7 sacks can’t be too lucky. I have a pessimistic view of this rank, but I would like to see him duplicate before I keep him as a Top 36 DL.
Jarran Reed – IDL

Note: These five will be on the field the most, with Williams playing both inside and outside. Last year is probably not repeatable, but this is a strong group with high floors all the way around.

NFC East

Buffalo Bills

Greg Rousseau (29) – EDGE – The falloff went from Rousseau as DL8 to DL40 from 2024 to 2025. He dropped from 6 double-digit games in 2024 to only 3 in 2025. Luckily, the Bills have spent a lot on rotational and IDL depth.
Bradley Chubb (44) – EDGE – Chubb might only qualify at LB, but even at EDGE, he had a big drop-off from 2023 to his return in 2025 after ACL surgery. Hopefully, he will be better with Buffalo, but they will rotate a lot.
Michael Hoecht (86) – EDGE – Hoecht has a lot of floor, with high tackle totals in 23 and 24, but that was also when he had snaps. This rotation seems deep, which will erode Hoecht’s upside and overall value.
TJ Parker – EDGE
Mike Danna – EDGE
Landon Jackson – EDGE

Ed Oliver (57) – IDL – Oliver is one of the most talented IDLs in the league, put it all together in 2023, finished as a DL2 at 21st overall, and averaged 9.1 PPG. Oliver just really needs to stay healthy. He had 3 sacks in 3 games and was actually the highest DL in PPG, even though he only played 3 games. He’s a nice upside pick in leagues that require an IDL.
Deone Walker – IDL
T.J. Sanders – IDL

Note: The depth of the rotation will probably scare me away from most Bills Edge rushers. Ed Oliver is probably the Bills DL that I will roster the most, but he has also been allergic to staying healthy.

Miami Dolphins

Chop Robinson – EDGE
Josh Uche – EDGE
David Ojabo – EDGE
Trey Moore – EDGE

Zach Sieler (92) – IDL – It’s going to be a long season for the Dolphins, but that should mean plenty of snaps for Sieler. Sieler has had 25.5 sacks over the last two seasons and has had over 60 tackles a few times. There’s upside in there if things work out. Sieler was the only player inside the Top-100 on the Miami DL in 2025.
Kenneth Grant – IDL

Note: The Dolphins will have snap opportunities for someone to be productive, but outside of Sieler, it will probably come down to Robinson or Grant producing. Grant was strong as a rookie and has a chance for way more snaps. Robinson also has a chance to take a step in his 3rd season, but I think for the most part, the snaps will benefit the LB and DB spots way more.

New England Patriots

Harold Landry (33) – EDGE – Landry had a very disappointing 2025 but still finished as DL28. Hopefully, Landry gets better in his 2nd season with the Patriots and is another removed from ACL surgery.
Dre’Mont Jones (79) – EDGE – Jones should see an uptick in snaps again, as the 2nd-rounder Jacas is his only real competition. The schedule might be harder for the Pats, but Jones has a chance to see a career high and be productive through volume.
Gabe Jacas – EDGE

Milton Williams (85) – IDL – Williams missed 5 games with an ankle injury but has shown better ability to tackle and get to the QB. It’s mainly projection, but the line should be better in his 2nd year with the Pats.
Christian Barmore – IDL
Cory Durden – IDL

New York Jets

David Bailey (24) – EDGE – The Jets’ defense will look completely different, and it will start with rookie David Bailey. Bailey was dominant at Texas Tech, with 15 Sacks (1st), 43 Hurries (5th), and the No. 1 PFF defense grade at EDGE. Bailey will get every chance to prove himself by playing a massive number of snaps for a defense that will almost assuredly be improved.
Will McDonald (74) – EDGE – McDonald is here only to collect sacks. 18.5 over the last two seasons, but only 58 tackles between those seasons. Ossai might see more snaps, but McDonald will still be more productive.
Joseph Ossai (82) – EDGE – Ossai has recorded over 40 tackles in the last two seasons, but only 5 sacks each year. This rotation will be interesting, but it will likely be Ossai on early downs and short-yardage plays, with McDonald coming in on obvious passing downs.
David Onyemata – EDGE

T’Vondre Sweat – IDL
Harrison Phillips – IDL

Note: Bailey showing up and producing from Day 1 will go a long way, but the Jets also made sure to add depth at Edge. Sweat and Phillips have posted high tackle totals for IDL, and they might become rosterable if the Jets continue to spend most of the game on defense.

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens

Trey Hendrickson (27) – EDGE – Hendrickson is the Ravens’ silver medal after the trade for Maxx Crosby fell through. Hendrickson was limited to 7 games in 2025 and ended the season with core muscle surgery. Hendrickson has been very sack-dependent and has peaked at only 46 tackles in a season, but he had 17.5 sacks in 2023 and 2024.
Zion Young (84) – EDGE – The Ravens had to address this in more than one way, and Zion Young was taken inside the Top-50. Young finished with 8 sacks and 32 tackles with Missouri in 2025
Mike Green (97) – EDGE – Green and Young will likely eat into each other’s production, but Green had 13 of his 20 hurries in the final 7 games for Baltimore and will have better company around him in 2026.
Tavius Robinson – EDGE

Nnamdi Madubuike (60) – IDL – Madubuike finished as high as DL13 Overall in 2023, with 13.5 sacks. He followed that up with a finish at DL42, which is probably what we should expect going forward. He has upside, but it’s likely capped as he missed all but 2 games in 2025 after neck surgery, and we haven’t confirmed if he will be back for training camp.
Calais Campbell (70) – IDL – As long as Campbell plays, he’ll have a chance to give us points, but at 39, his best days are in the rearview. Campbell had the 3rd fewest snaps of his career in 2025, and the upside is over, but he knows where to be on every play and still has size to make an impact.
Travis Jones – IDL
Broderick Washington Jr. – IDL

Note: There will likely be some growing pains with so much new blood in Baltimore. The spot opposite Hendrickson will likely start with Mike Green, and he’ll have to hold off Zion Young to keep it. Hopefully, Madubuike is back and can make an impact, but the rotation of Campbell, Jones, Washington, and Jenkins is deep enough to keep the rest of the defense at value.

Cincinnati Bengals

Myles Murphy (88) – EDGE – Murphy led the Bengals in DL snaps in 2025 but still finished only as a DL3 (38th). I think Mafe might play more than him this year, and Stewart will likely mix in more as well. Dexter Lawrence might make him an interesting option to some, but I’m not buying in.
Boye Mafe – EDGE
Cashius Howell – EDGE
Shemar Stewart – EDGE

Dexter Lawrence (66) – IDL – Lawrence doesn’t have the stud Edge rushers next to him anymore, but will likely be happier in Cincinnati after a contract dispute in New York. The Bengals’ defense should allow him to play a little more freely and get after the QB more. Lawrence’s primary role is still to eat up space, but there should be an uptick in sacks from 2025 onward.
Jonathan Allen (73) – IDL – Allen will benefit more than anyone from Dexter Lawrence playing next to him. Allen has gone over 60 tackles as an IDL in six of his 9 seasons.
B.J. Hill – IDL

Note: Adding Lawrence to this line will help all parts, but snaps will be hard to read. My guess is that Mafe and Murphy will lead at EDGE, but Stewart will push Murphy, and Howell will push someone off in 3rd-and-longs. The Bengals will be improved, but the rotation is questionable.

Cleveland Browns

Jared Verse (11) – EDGE – The move from the Rams to the Browns will be a tough one for Verse, but I like him on the field a lot. Verse has a strong motor, has had 66 and 58 tackles, and finished as DL2 in each of his first two seasons. Verse lost value, but not enough for me to push him down too much; he’s still a DL1 with upside.
Alex Wright (50) – EDGE – Life will be different without Garrett on the opposite side, but Verse isn’t too hard a downgrade. The mix of Kowara and McGuire caps his upside
Julian Okwara – EDGE
Isaiah McGuire – EDGE

Maliek Collins (94) – IDL – Collins will see a lot of snaps but has always peaked at around 40 tackles and 5 to 6 sacks. There isn’t much upside
Mason Graham – IDL

Note: Trading Myles Garrett will obviously hurt the Browns, but the addition of Verse will make the impact less significant than most think. Graham had a ton of snaps last season but mainly played as a space clogger. Wright, Okwara, and McGuire all offer upside if one gets way more playing time than others.

Pittsburgh Steelers

T.J. Watt (6) – EDGE – Watt missed the final four games with a punctured lung. The upside is still an enormous amount of sacks with pig play potential, forcing the ball out, getting INTs, or recovering fumbles.
Alex Highsmith (15) – EDGE – Highsmith had 9.5 sacks but still missed 14 games and played at less than 100% in others. Highsmith might eventually be pushed out of Pittsburgh by Herbig’s massive extension, but for now, he’s in a great spot across from Watt and next to Cam Heyward.
Nick Herbig (45) – EDGE – Herbig just received a $100M extension and has been better and better at getting after the QB over his 3 seasons. Herbig’s lack of size means he’s unlikely to be a tackle monster at any point, but he’ll remain a surge player.

Cam Heyward (20) – IDL – My man is ancient but still producing. Heyward finished as DL 20 Overall last year with only 3.5 sacks, despite 78 tackles.
Keeanu Benton (71) – IDL – Benton or Harmon could take a big step this season with more snaps, but they will likely eat into each other’s snaps.
Derrick Harmon – IDL

Note: The Steelers have the deepest DL in the league, Watt, Highsmith, and Heyward should be drafted in every league that requires 2 DL. Herbig, Benton, and Harmon are all very strong upside plays, but game-to-game rotation will make it hard to know which one to target.

AFC South

Houston Texans

Will Anderson Jr. (5) – EDGE – Will Anderson finished as DL4 last season and is just entering the prime of his career. Anderson will provide 50 tackles and double-digit sacks as a floor, and after getting paid, will rarely come off the field. He should be one of the first 5 players off the board.
Danielle Hunter (7) – EDGE – Hunter has had 10+ sacks in four straight seasons and 7/10 seasons he has played. Hunter’s tackle totals haven’t lived up to his time in Minnesota but he still had over 50 last season and has been a DL1 3 seasons in a row.

Kayden McDonald (72) – IDL – I’m probably too early on McDonald, but if he can get consistent playing time, he had 60 tackles at Ohio State in 2025 and will be playing next to two of the best Edge rushers in the league.
Tommy Togiai (92) – IDL – Togiai had 59 tackles in only 459 snaps in 2025. Snap competition will be harder this season, but he offers a lot of upside on this line.
Sheldon Rankins – IDL

Note: The Texans’ line is the engine of the defense and will provide two DL1s at Edge, along with all kinds of upside on the interior. The IDL rotation is deep with Rankins, Togiai, McDonald, and Hall, and one of them will put up great numbers. The lack of depth behind Anderson and Hunter will likely mean they stay on the field to produce more.

Indianapolis Colts

Laiatu Latu (18) – EDGE – Latu had 10 games with 10+ points, and this season, Paye and Ebukam are gone, so Latu should get an uptick in snaps. Latu already finished as DL17 last season and is heading into his prime with more playing time.
Arden Key – EDGE
JT Tuimoloau – EDGE
Michael Clemons – EDGE

DeForest Buckner (40) – IDL – Buckner is expected to be back for training camp after undergoing neck surgery in Week 17. Buckner will move up or down my list depending on whether he is available for camp. Buckner gives us a nice tackle floor and is still getting after the QB, 7 sacks have been his low since 2018, until 4 in 10 games last year.
Grover Stewart – IDL
Colby Wooden – IDL

Note: The spot across from Latu is open with Key, Tumoloau, and Clemons competing for playing time. Buckner will be flanked by Stewart and Wooden, but neither offers much fantasy upside.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Josh Hines-Allen (25) – EDGE – Hines-Allen isn’t likely to reach his 2023 peak of 3rd overall among DL and 17.5 sacks. 50ish tackles with 8 or more sacks have been his norm over the last two seasons. I expect him to be in the same area as a strong DL3 this year.
Travon Walker (78) – EDGE – Walker went from a DL3 to a DL1 in 23 and 24, and then wrist and knee issues cost him 3 games, 7 sacks, and 23 tackles, plummeting him to DL75.

Arik Armstead – IDL
Ruke Orhorhoro – IDL

Note: The Jags are less likely to rotate with the inexperience behind the starters. I might be low on Walker, but there are plenty of other players with higher upside, in my opinion.

Tennessee Titans

Jermaine Johnson (42) – EDGE – Johnson had only 3 sacks with the Jets after Achilles surgery in 2024. The Jets were a mess, but his former HC, Robert Saleh, trading for him is a nice sign. Simmons will be the best DT he has played next to, which will help, especially if the offense can keep them fresh.
Keldric Faulk (99) – EDGE – The Titans spent a 1st-round pick on Faulk, making him an intriguing dart throw. Faulk had 9 sacks in 2024 before dropping to only 2 last season, but Auburn was a mess. This season is probably too early to expect much, though.
Olu Oladejo – EDGE

Jeffery Simmons (9) – IDL – Simmons has finished as a DL1 the past two seasons, and they get more help around him at EDGE this season. Simmons isn’t ‘bad game proof,’ but had 15+ points in 7 games last season.
Jordan Elliott – IDL
Solomon Thomas – IDL

Note: The Johnson trade cost the Titans T’Vondre Sweat, but he’ll be replaced by space-cloggers Elliott and Thomas. Faulk, Oladejo, and Franklin-Myers will all compete for playing time; Franklin-Myers will likely lead in snaps with the younger options rotating.

AFC West

Denver Broncos

Nik Bonitto (14) – EDGE – Bonitto has finished 3rd and 11th among DL the last two seasons with 13.5 sacks in 2024 and 14 in 2025. Bonitto doesn’t have the highest floor, as he hasn’t yet eclipsed 50 tackles, but his sacks make him a worthy start every week.
Jon Cooper (83) – EDGE – Cooper is an ascending talent with a better tackle floor but isn’t as good at getting sacks as his counterpart, Bonitto. Cooper is facing serious legal issues and is facing a potentially long suspension.
Jonah Elliss – EDGE
Dondrea Tillman – EDGE

Zach Allen (98) – IDL – Allen had a down season in 2025 but still offers a decent tackle floor for an IDL and has had 850+ snaps for three seasons in a row. Allen faded down the stretch, which scares me off, but I might be overplaying it.
D.J. Jones – IDL

Note: Cooper’s potential suspension could leave a nice amount of snaps for Elliss, Tillman, or Drew Sanders. The interior of the Broncos’ line isn’t fantasy viable behind Zach Allen.

Kansas City Chiefs

George Karlaftis (37) – EDGE – Karlaftis is going into his 5th season and has been a DL3/4 for the most part. I was expecting the Chiefs to add more at Edge in the draft, but they decided to go CB early with Mansoor, keeping Karlaftis in close to the same spot as last season.
Felix Anudike-Uzomah – EDGE
R Mason Thomas – EDGE
Ashton Gillotte – EDGE

Chris Jones (52) – IDL – I think we are past the peak of Chris Jones’ career. He has always relied on sacks for his production and has gone over 10 3 times, but he’s 31 and has a career high of 44 tackles in a season.
Khyiris Tonga – IDL
Peter Woods – IDL

Note: Karlaftis and Jones are the anchors, and the rotational players are all fighting for snaps. FAU and R Mason Thomas are low-tackle pass rushers, and Tonga and Woods don’t offer enough to be excited about heading into the season. Someone can earn snaps with good play, but it’s a guessing game as of now.

Las Vegas Raiders

Maxx Crosby (3) – EDGE – Crosby’s knee issue kept him from being dealt to Baltimore, but that seemed more like buyer’s remorse than an actual issue. Crosby has had at least 7 sacks in every season and 10+ in 3 of the last 4 seasons. 2023 was probably his peak, but he’s a no-doubt DL1 even as he ages.
Kwity Paye – EDGE
Malcolm Koonce – EDGE
Keyron Crawford – EDGE

Thomas Booker IV – IDL
Jonah Laulu – IDL
Adam Butler – IDL

Note: None of the IDL for the Raiders have been fantasy impactful in the past. The 2nd EDGE rusher in snaps will probably be Kwity Paye, and he’s had productive seasons in the past, but I feel Koonce or Crawford have more upside if they can earn enough snaps.

Los Angeles Chargers

Tuli Tuipulotu (12) – EDGE – Tuli is an ascending talent that already finished as a DL1 (9th) last season and has shown continued growth going into his 4th season.
Khalil Mack (48) – EDGE – 35-year-old vet that will still have value but is likely to get pushed by rookie 1st-round pick Mesidor.
Akheem Mesidor (68) – EDGE – Mesidor is a perfect fit as a large Edge (280 lbs) with the Chargers defense. Mesidor had 13 sacks at Miami and will likely push Mack for snaps.
Bud Dupree – EDGE
Kyle Kennard – EDGE

Jamaree Caldwell – IDL
Dalvin Tomlinson – IDL
Teair Tart – IDL

Note: The DL in L.A. haven’t been fantasy studs but have created big finishes for guys like Bosa, Mack, and Tuipulotu the last few seasons. Dupree/Kennard have a similar dynamic as Mack/Mesidor but for fewer snaps.

NFL

MLB

NBA

NHL